You've heard that people fear public speaking more than death. Erica and Dominique spill the tea on where that famous claim really came from, and why the truth is more hopeful. Over a cup of tulsi (holy basil), they explore TED-Ed Student Talks, a free storytelling and public speaking program for educators working with young people ages 6–18, plus what's in it for TED, who might be left out, and why some kids need more than a pep talk. You'll learn about the "illusion of transparency," a research finding that your nerves show far less than you feel, and leave with three creator tools for speaking up with confidence and helping young people find their voices. Perfect for teachers, parents, mentors and anyone who's ever had a shaky voice. Your nerves show far less than you think, and that one truth could change how you (and the kids in your life) speak up. #SpillTheTea, #SpillTheTeaWithDandE, #Podcast, #PublicSpeaking, #StudentVoice, #TEDEd, #TEDEdStudentTalks, #Storytelling, #Confidence, #Teachers, #Educators, #Education, #YouthVoice, #SocialAnxiety, #StageFright, #FearOfPublicSpeaking, #IllusionOfTransparency, #Tulsi, #HolyBasil, #HerbalTea, #Mindfulness, #Wellness, #SantaBarbara, #SantaBarbaraWellnessCenter, #CreatorMindset, #ShiftTheSignal, #Parenting, #FindYourVoice, #Compassion, #WellnessPodcast Original music © 2026 Santa Barbara Wellness Center, Inc. All rights reserved. Sources and editorial notes (all checked October 29, 2026) TED-Ed Student Talks — official program page: ages 6–18, free activities, start dates April 1 / August 1 / December 1, educators in 130+ countries (TED's own figure). PR Newswire — TED-Ed Clubs worldwide launch, Jan. 14, 2014 Education Week — 100 pilot schools in 20 countries (2014) KQED MindShift — original club format, about 13 weeks Tengri News / AFP — TED described as a nonprofit KIOS / UNO — Dwyer & Davidson 2012, 815 students; death ranked first Joyful Public Speaking — 1973 Bruskin survey: 41% speaking vs. 19% death; 2012 figure of 61.7% Dwyer & Davidson 2021 — fear dropped after a public speaking course NIMH — social anxiety disorder, 9.1% lifetime prevalence in U.S. adolescents Savitsky & Gilovich 2003 — illusion of transparency and speech anxiety (summary and replication) · overview Jamshidi & Cohen 2017 — systematic review of 24 human tulsi studies (PubMed) 🌿🍵 The Last Sip 🍵🌿 Before we put the kettle away and head back into the adventure of everyday life, we’d like to leave you with one final thought: Wellness isn’t something you buy. It’s something you build. One conversation, one healthy choice, one act of kindness, one deep breath, and sometimes one cup of tea at a time. If today’s conversation inspired you, encouraged you, or simply made you smile, we invite you to support the work of Santa Barbara Wellness Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization started in 2015, dedicated to helping people cultivate healthier bodies, calmer minds, stronger communities, and more meaningful lives. Your tax-deductible donations help support wellness education, community programs, mindfulness initiatives, and projects that encourage people to thrive rather than merely survive. To learn more or make a contribution, visit: SBWellness.org Because a healthier community begins with people who care enough to plant seeds today for a better tomorrow. Until next time, keep your cup full, your heart open, and remember… The world may be complicated, but sharing tea and sharing wisdom are still wonderfully simple. 🌱 This is Dominique and Erica saying
